• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Accessories Is Anyone Selling A Lens Protector For That Goofy Camera Lens In The Back?

My Platinum Series case from Best Buy saves the lens from touching anything when I put my phone down but doesn't really add much to the size of the phone

I bought that same case from best buy too. It's pretty spendy like 30 bucks or so but I had a gift card to BB so figured what the hell. I think its a really good case and when layed flat on a table the case doesnt let the lens touch anything.
 
Upvote 0
I bought the cheap silicone rocketfish case from best buy and it holds the camera up off most surfaces.

Just to be safe though, I cut cut a small piece of microfiber cloth (that came with my Zagg Invisishield) and slipped it behind my case to cover the camera. That way I always have it handy to clean my screen and it protects my camera.

I can just quickly pull it out if I want to snap a picture, but I have to take off the case to put it back in. I don't use the camera that often so its not too big a deal to me.

The nice thing about Invisishield is that they have a lifetime warranty, so I am going to rip the one off my old palm pre and exchange it (you just pay like $3 shipping) and try to cut something out to protect that glass. I worry about how it will affect picture quality though.
 
Upvote 0
I made and have been using this since I got my phone in early June. It's been working like a charm. The key is that you don't need to cover / protect the entire lens of the camera, just the portion where the eye takes in light.

I had a left over (hard plastic) screen protector from ebay from my HTC Diamond that was stolen.
4847015970_47fe1fa2e6.jpg


Took a hole puncher (the plastic film protector has not been peeled yet at this point), punched a hole and peel the plastic carefully off and stuck it over the hole of where the lens takes in light.
4847015980_825bd0860a.jpg


It's thick enough to bump up and have the camera rest on it when the phone is lying down without scratching any of the vital portions of the lens.
4847015990_38e0a8a53f.jpg


Here's another shot of it lying on a surface. The protectors can be found on Ebay for a couple of bucks, and since you don't need a particular size, just go for the cheapest one. Note, don't get the film kind, those take blurry photos. Get the hard plastic ones, those are almost completely transparent.
4847015996_3c040f51a4.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: CriticalCritic
Upvote 0
I made and have been using this since I got my phone in early June. It's been working like a charm. The key is that you don't need to cover / protect the entire lens of the camera, just the portion where the eye takes in light.

I had a left over (hard plastic) screen protector from ebay from my HTC Diamond that was stolen.
4847015970_47fe1fa2e6.jpg


Took a hole puncher (the plastic film protector has not been peeled yet at this point), punched a hole and peel the plastic carefully off and stuck it over the hole of where the lens takes in light.
4847015980_825bd0860a.jpg


It's thick enough to bump up and have the camera rest on it when the phone is lying down without scratching any of the vital portions of the lens.
4847015990_38e0a8a53f.jpg


Here's another shot of it lying on a surface. The protectors can be found on Ebay for a couple of bucks, and since you don't need a particular size, just go for the cheapest one. Note, don't get the film kind, those take blurry photos. Get the hard plastic ones, those are almost completely transparent.
4847015996_3c040f51a4.jpg
Very clever. I have been wondering how to cut out a perfectly circular protector for my lens, never thought of that. Is it a standard single hole puncher?
 
Upvote 0
I'm going to seek out a paper punch tomorrow as close to the diameter of the lens as possible. I have a spare Best Skins Ever lens protector which fits perfectly that I am going to bring with me. Once I find the punch I'll be able to crank out EVO camera lens protectors like a factory.

I actually found a perfect size punch and cut out a lifetime supply for myself. I found through experimentation that the static type protectors are not the best for this application. I turns out that the protectors I cut were sized so exactly to the lens assembly including the outer metal ring that the static type would not sit flush on the surface and there was always an air bubble beneath them. The solution was to use the type that adheres using a liquid solution. I had a 2 pack of Phantom Skinz clear screen protectors which use this attachment method so I proceeded to cut out as many lens protectors as I could from these. The lens protectors fit perfect and stay firmly attached to the lens surface.

Here is what I found over the last 2 days of experimentation:

Static type protector: (Steinheil, Seidio, Boxwave, etc)

1. Unless you cut it smaller than the lens assembly it won't sit flush on the lens. I wanted the whole assembly protected including the metal outer ring so this was a deal breaker for me already.

2. When placing it on the lens it's a one shot deal, they can't be slid around to position them. You have to peel it off to reposition it which introduces the possibility of getting fingerprints or dust particles on the adhesive side.

3. Once the protective film is taken off the adhesive side it's a battle to handle that tiny piece without getting fingerprints on the adhesive side.

4. More likely to peel off if you snag the edge.

Liquid type protector (Phantom SKinz, Best Skins Ever)

1. Doesn't need to be cut smaller than the lens assembly it will sit flush on the lens and the metal outer ring.

2. When placing it on the lens it's not a one shot deal, it can be slid around to position it due to the liquid.

3. Once the protective film is taken off the adhesive side fingerprints are not a huge issue also due to the liquid providing a barrier.

4. Much less likely to peel off if you snag the edge, the adhesive seems to be strong yet leaves no residue when removed.

5. I tried both Phantom Skinz and Best SKins Ever. They both have all the properties I listed in #1-#4 above but I found Phantom Skinz to have less of an orange peel texture but they were just about equally clear.

Note when using the liquid type protector: Use as little liquid as humanly possible! I know Best Skins Ever includes a camera protector with their back skin but just be super careful with liquid near your phone. I used only enough to attach it and have it slide, there was NO EXCESS dripping off the lens area at all. I will accept no responsibility for damaged phones! Proceed at your own risk! You have been warned!
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones